MANUAL 


-OF   1HE 


PRESBYTERY  OF  WflfflMTON. 


ADOPTED  NOVEMBER,   1883. 


WILMINGTON,  N.  C: 

JACKSON  <fe  BELL,  WATER-POWER  PRESSES. 


MANUAL 


-OF   IHti- 


PRESBYTERY  OF  WMINSTON. 


ADOPTED  NOVEMBER,   1883. 


WILMINGTON,  N.  C: 

JACKSON  <fe  BEKL,  WATER-POWER  PRESSES. 

1883. 


COLLECTIONS  ORDERED  BY  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY 


HOME  MISSIONS, 

FIRST    SABBATH    OF   JANUARY. 

PUBLICATION, 

FIRST  SABBATH   OF   MARCH. 

FOREIGN  MISSIONS, 

FIRST   SABBATH    OF   MAY. 

INVALID    FUND, 

FIRST   SABBATH   OF   JULY. 

EVANGELISTIC    FUND, 

FIRST   SABBATH   OF   SEPTEMBER. 

EDUCATION, 

FIRST   SABBATH   OF   NOVEMBER. 

TUSKALOOSA   INSTITUTE, 

FIRST     SABBATH    OF     DECEMBER. 


Cp  2  % 


b 


MANUAL 

—OF— 

Wilmington  Presbytery. 


SECTION  I. 
HISTORY   AND  BOUNDARY   LINES. 

The  Presbytery  of  Wilmington,  origi- 
nally a  part  of  the  Presbytery  of  Fayetteville, 
was  set  off  by  the  Synod  at  its  meeting  in  Wil- 
mington, N.  C,  November  1868.  It  held  its 
first  meeting  in  Wilmington,  at  the  residence 
of  Mr.  Patrick  Murphy,  on  Orange  street,  the 
day  following  the  Synod's  action,  November 
21st,  1868.  Rev.  Colin  Shaw  was,  by  direction 
of  Synod,  its  first  Moderator.  It  consisted  of 
10  Ministers  and  25  Churches. 

The  following  are  its  boundary  lines:  ''Be- 
ginning at  the  South  Carolina  line  with  the 
Western  boundary  of  Columbus  County,  and 
running  thence  along  the  Western  boundary 
of  Bladen  and  Sampson  Counties  to  the  South- 
ern boundary  of  Orange  Presbytery,  and 
thence  along  that  line  to  the  Ocean.'1 


4         Manual  of  Wilmington   Presbytery. 

SECTION  II. 

ROLL    OF   MINISTERS— 1884. 

Names.  Post  Office. 

Rev.  D.  B.  Black Burlaw. 

"     J.  S.   Black 

"     R.  H.  Chapman,  I).  D Asheville. 

"     James  Kelly Clarkton. 

"     Alex.  Kirkland Whiteville 

"    B.  F.  Marable Mount  Olive. 

"     K.   McDonald «... Richlands. 

u     A.  McFadyen Elizabeth  town. 

11     G.  W.  McMillan Burgaw. 

u     C.   M.  Payne Wilmington. 

u     John  M.  Rose,  Jr Goldsboro. 

"     Colin  Shaw Gravelly  Hill. 

"     J.   M.  Sprunt,  D.  D Kenansville. 

"     J.  R.  Wilson,  D.  D Wilmington. 

Licentiate  N.  W.  Herring Kenansville. 

'•  Alex.  Phillips Clinton. 


Manual  of   Wilmington    Presbytery.  5 

ROLL  of  CHURCHES— CLERKS  of  SESSION. 
SECTION   III. 


Church. 


Beth-Car 

Black  River 

Brown  Marsh 

Burgaw 

Clinton. 

Cobb's  Mills. 

Elizabethtown ... 

Goldsboro 

Grove 

Hopewell 

Keith , 

Moore's  Creek... 

Mt.  Horeb 

Mt.  Olive 

Mt.  Williams 

Mt.  Zion  

Newport 

North  River 

Oak  Plain 

Pike 

Richlands 

Rockflsh 

Seminary 

South  River 

Topsail 

Union 

White  Hall  

White  Plains 

Whiteville 

Wilmington,  1st 
Wilmington,  2d. 


Pastor  or  S.  8.  Clerk  of  Session 


Rev. 


A.  Mc Fad yen  . 
J.S.  Black 

A.  McFadyen.. 
J.  S.  Black 

B.  F.  Marable.. 

A.  McFadyen... 

J.  M.  Rose 

J.M.SprantDD 
D.  B.  Black 

Colin  Shaw 

A.  McFadyen... 

B.  F.  Marable... 
G.W.  McMillan 
J.M.Sprunt  DD 


Colin  Shaw 

D.  B.  Black 

K.  McDonald... 

D.  B.  Black 

S.  H.  Isler 

A.  McFadyen... 
G.W.  McMillan 
J.M.Sprunt  DD 


W.  N.  Whitted. 
H.  E.  Shaw. 
J.  H.  Ballentine. 
W.  M.  Hand. 
A.  F.  Johnson. 
John  C.  Wooten. 
J.  M.  Benson. 
J.  W.  Gulick. 
N.  D.  Pearsall. 
J.  H.  Moore. 
M.  E.  Collins. 
A.  M.  Colvin. 
Neill  Graham. 

A.  R.  Hicks,  Jr. 
J.  R.  Bannerman. 
G.  S.  Carr. 
Hugh  M unlock. 

J.  W.  Stokes, 
John  P.  Hand. 
J.  W.  Fountain. 
G.  Boney. 

B.  Bender. 

W.  J.  Oo  mar  tie. 
D.  W.  McMillan. 
J.  A.  Faison. 


A.  Kirkland S.  T.  Buie. 

A.  Kirkland J.  F.  Dunn. 

JR.  Wilson  DDiB.  F.  Hall. 
C.  M,  Payne lAlex.  Sprunt. 


6  Manual  of    Wilmington    Presbytery. 

SECTION    IV. 

OFFICERS,    AGENTS,    AND    PERMANENT; 
COMMITTEES. 

(1)  Officers: 
Stated  Clerk—Rev.  J.  M.  Sprunt,  D.  D.,  Ken- 

ansville,  N.  0. 

Treasurer— John     McLaurin,     Wilmington 
N.  C. 

(2)  Presbyterial  Agents  : 
Foreign  Missions — John  M.  Rose,  Jr. 
Publication — J.  8.  Black. 
Education — B.  F.  Marable. 
Sunday  Schools — Alex.  Kirkland. 

(3)  Permanent  Committees. 
I  — Committee  on  Sabbath — Rev.  J.  R.  Wilson, 

D.  D.,  Rev.  C.  M.  Payne  and  Elder  John  Col-! 
ville. 
2 — Committee  on  Home  Missions  — 


Manual  of  Wilmington   Presbytery.  7 

3 — Committee  on  Minutes  of  General  Assembly 
2nd  Synod— Rev.  Messrs.  A.  McFadyen,  B.  F. 
Marableand  Ruling  Elder  W   J.  Cromartie. 

4—  Committee  to  Audit  Treasurer's  Account — 
Ruling  Elders  Alex.  Sprunt  and  B  .G.  Worth. 

? — Committee  to  Correspond  with  "  Presby- 
terian Historical  Society" — Stated  Clerk. 

6 — Examining  Committees  ; 

On  Experimental  Religion — Dr.  Chapman 
aud  Rev.  K.  McDonald. 

On  Theology— Rev.  Messrs.  C.  Shaw  and  J. 
R.  Wilson,  D   D. 

On  Church  Government — Rev.  Messrs.  D.  B. 
Black  and  C,  M.  Payne. 

On  Sacraments — Rev.  G.  W.  McMillan. 

On  Ecclesiastical  History — Rev.  Messrs.  B. 
F.  Marable  and  A.  McFadyen. 

On  Languages — Science,  &c,  Rev.  Messrs,  J. 
M.  Sprunt,  James  Kelly  and  J.  M.  Rose. 

7 — Committee  on  Devotional  Exercises — The 
Pastor  or  Supply  of  the  Church  at  which  the 
Presbytery  meets  and  the  Elder  appointed  to 
represent  that  church,  or  in  case  of  a  vacant 
church  the  Moderator  who  opens  the  Presby- 
tery and  said  Elder,  shall  constitute  the  Com- 
mittee on  Devotional  Exercises,  who  shall  make 
a  report  as  early  after  the  Presbytery  meets  as 
practicable,  suggesting  hours  of  daily  sessions, 
fixing  time  for  the  consideration  of  the  Perma- 
nent Orders  of  the  Day  provided  for  in  Sec.  X, 
and  who  shall  arrange  for  such  devotional  exer- 
cises as  the  Presbytery  may  order. 


Manual  of   Wilmington    Presbytery. 

SECTION   V. 

QUOTAS  TO    PRESBYTERIAL  FUND. 


ii 


First  Church,  Wilmington $00  0( 

Brown  Marsh 15  (KJf1 

Mt.  Horeb 9  Off 

Black  River 15  Of 

Cobb's  Mills , 3  0(  le[ 

Richlands., 3  0( 

Clinton 15  0( 

Goldsboro 20  0(*  ll 

Grove 15  0( 

Hopewell 10  0( 

Moore's  Creek 10  0( 

Mt.  Williams 10  0 

Keith 5  A 

Mt.  Zion 10  00 

Oak  Plain.... 8  Of 

Rockfish 20  ((' 

Mt.  Olive 8  0( 

South  River  Chapel 15  0C 

Beth-Car 12  0( 

Elizabethtown 5  0( 

Pike 8  0( 

Union 20  0( 

Second  Church,  Wilmington 20  0( 

Topsail 4  0( 

White  Plains 10  0( 

Whiteville 10  0(! 

Seminary 2  0C 

White  Hall 4  0( 

North  River 2  0( 

Newport 4  0( 

Burgaw 4  (J 


Manual  of   Wilmington   Presbytery.  9 

SECTION  VI. 
REPORTS  TO  PRESBYTERY. 

At  each  stated  Spring  Meeting  the  Session  of 
ach  Church  shall  submit  to  Presbytery  the  fol- 
owing  reports,  to  wit : 

II.]  The  Statistical  report,  according  to  the 
xeneral  Assembly's  Form. 

N.  B.     Year— from  April  1st  to  April  1st. 

[2.]  A  Report  on  Sabbath-schools,  according 
o  the  General  Assembly's  Form. 

[3.]  A  report  on  the  state  of  religion,  em- 
>racing  the  topics  recommended  by  the  General 
Assembly,  to  wit:  (1.)  Official  fidelity  on  the 
)art  of  ministers,  Ruling  Elders  and  Deacons. 
2.)  Attendance  upon  service  of  the  Sanctuary. 
3. j  Special  out-pouring  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in 
he  Churches.  (4  )  The  Prevalence  of  intem- 
)erance,  worldly  amusements,  and  other  forms 
)fsin.  (5.)  Family  worship.  (6.)  Catecheti- 
3al  instruction  in  Sunday-schools  and  families. 
7.)  The  observance  of  the  Sabbath.  (8.)  Fi- 
ielity  of  God's  people  in  worshipping  the  Lord 
vvith  their  substance.  (9.)  Supply  of  churches 
with  ministration  of  the  Word.  (10  )  Relig- 
ous  instruction  of  colored  people. 

This  report  or  Narrative  shall  be  sent  to  the 
Presbytery  in  writing,  having  been  previously 
ipproved  by  the  session  and  entered  upon  its 
records. 

[4.]  The  records  of  the  session  shall  be  sent 
up  for  review  at  the  Spring  meeting. 

[5.]     The  Quota  assessed  upon  each  church  is 


10        Manual  of   Wilmington   Presbytery. 

to  be  paid  to  the  Treasurer  at  the  Spring  meet 
ing. 

[6.]  Each  church  having  a  pastor  or  statec 
supply  shall  present  a  report,  stating  whethe 
the  amount  of  salary  promised  has  been  paid,  i  rc 

N.  B.     Stated  Clerk  is  required  to  furnish  alj  f< 
needed  blank  forms  at  least  two  months  befon 
the  meeting  of  Presbytery. 

SECTION  VII. 

ATTENDING  MEETINGS  OF  PRESBYTER^ 

i 
Ministers  failing  to  attend  any  stated  meet 
ing  shall  report  by  letter,  when  practicable,  th< 
reason  of  their  absence.  Any  Session  failing 
to  be  represented  shall  report  by  letter  the; 
reason  therefor.  Sessions  are  urged  to  give  at 
tention  to  the  provision  in  Book  of  Churct 
Order,  Chap,  v,  Sec.  I,  Par.  vii,  to  wit:  "The 
expenses  of  Ministers  and  Ruling  Elders, 
their  attendance  on  the  courts,  shall  be  defrayed 
by  the  bodies  which  they  respectively  repre- 
sent." 

SECTION  vnr. 

MISSIONARY   SUPPLIES. 

The  missionary  field  of  the  Presbytery  shal 
be  distributed  among  its  ministers  according  tc 
the  recommendation  of  tiie  Committee  oi 
Home  Missions,  when  approved,  at  each  stated 
meeting  of  the  Presbytery.  Each  minister'11 
shall  report  his  diligence  in  performing  the 
missionary  duty  assigned  to  him. 


Manual  of  Wilmington   Presbytery.        11 
SECTION   IX. 
LICENTIATES  AND    CANDIDATES. 

1.  Licentiates  under  the  care  of  Presbytery 
re  required  to  attend  every  stated  meeting,  or 

lend  satisfactory  excuse  for  absence  in  writing. 
They  shall  be  assigned  by  Presbytery  to  suit- 
able fields  of  labor,  where  they  may  exercise 
heir  gifts  as  "Probationers  for  the  Holy  Minis- 
ry  ;"  or  they  may  obtain  leave  from  Presby- 
tery to  labour  in  certain  fields,  but  in  neither 
ase  shall  the  period  of  labour  extend  beyond 
>ne  year  at  a  time. 

2.  Candidates  for  the  Gospel  Ministry  shall 
»e  required  to  report  by  letter  at  least  twice  a 
'ear  to  the  Agent  of  Education. 

SECTION    X. 

PERMANENT  ORDER  OF  THE  DAY. 

The  following  shall  be  permanent  orders  of 
he  day  for  the  stated  Spring  and  Fall  Meetings 
if  the  Presbytery,  at  such  hours  as  may  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  Committee  on  Devotional  Exer- 
ises  :     (See  Sec.  4,  par.  7.) 

For  the  Spring  Meeting. 

econd  Day. — Tlie  Slate  of  Religion  in  the 
Churches  :  The  Narratives  from  the  churches 
to  be  rrad,  accompanied  by  such  verbal  state- 
ments as  may  be  desired. 

l'htrd  Day. — Home  Missions  :  The  consider- 
ation of  the  report  from  the  Committee  of 
Home  Missions  and  reports  from  Missionary 
supplies. 


12        Manual  of   Wilmington   Pr<  nbytery. 

Fourth  Day.— Systematic  Betuflcpnce  :  Tht 
consideration  of  the  Report  of  the  Presby- 
tery's Standing  Committee. 

tor  the  Fall  Meeting. 

Second  Day — Free  conversation  on  State  oi 
Religion  in  the  Churches. 

Third  Day.— Sabbath  School*:  The  consid- 
eration of  the  Report  to  Synod,  prepared  by 
the  Presbytery's  Agent. 

SECTION    XT. 
GENERAL  DOCKET. 


Igei 


m 


1— Prayer.  ! 

2— Roll  Call. 

3 — Election    of    Moderator    and    Temporary  ^ 
Clerks. 

4— Hours  of  Session    fixed.     (&ee   Section  4, 
Par.  7.) 

5 — Reading  of  Minutes  of  last  Stated  Meeting 

6 — Excuses  for  absence.     (See  Standing  Rule 
18.) 

7 — Appointment  of  Standing  Committees. 

[1]     On  Narrative  to  Synod  or  General  As 
sembly. 

[2]     On  Systematic  Beneficence. 

[3]     On  Sessional  records  (Spring.)     (3  Com- 
mittees.) 

[4]     On  time  and  place  of  next  meeting. 

[5]     On  Pastoral  support  (Spring). 

8     Reports   from    churches  called   for.     (Not 
provided    for    in    permanent    order*    of    day. 
(Section  10.) 


(;■ 


Manual  of  Wilmington    Presbytery.        13 

[1]     Statisti  al  Report.     (Spring  ) 

[2]     Sabbath-Schools.     (Spring.) 

[3]     Pastoral  Support.     (Spring.) 

[4]     Sessional  Records.     (Spring.) 

9— Roll  of  churches  called  for  payment  of con- 

ngent  fund.     (Spring). 

10 — Reports  of  Permanent  Committees  and 
Agents,  Trustees,  &c. 

[1]     Committe  of  Home  Missions. 

[2]     Agent  of  Foreign  Missions.     (Spring.) 

[3]     Agent  of  Publication.     (Spring.) 

[4]     Agent  of  Education.     (Spring.) 

[5]     Agent  of  Sunday  Schools.     (Spring.) 

[6]  Permanent  Committee  on  Sabbath. 
(Spring.) 

[7]  Permanent  Committee  on  Minutes  of 
General  Assembly.     (Fall.) 

[8]  Permanent  Committee  on  Minutes  of 
Synod.     (Spring.) 

[9]  Permanent  Committee  to  audit  Treas- 
urer's account.     (Spring.) 

[10]     Trustees  of  Davidson  College.     (Fall.) 

[11[  Commissioners  to  General  Assembly. 
gall.) 

11— Free  Conversation  on  State  of  Religion. 
(Fall.) 

12 — Report  of  Treasurer.     (Spring.) 

13 — Report  of  Evangelists. 

14 — Nominate  and  elect  Commissioners  to 
General  Assembly.  (Spring.)  (See  Standing 
(Rule  21.) 

15 — Elect  Trustees  of  Davidson  College. 
(Fall.) 

10— Reports  from  Standing  Committees. 


14        Manual  of   Wilmington  Presbytery. 

[1]     On  Narrative. 

[2]     On  Systematic  Beneficence. 

[3]     On  Sessional  Records.     (Spring.) 

[4]     On  time  and  place  of  next  meeting. 

[5]     On  Pastoral  Support.     (Spring). 

17 — Election  of  Presbyterial  Agents  and  Com' 
mittee  of  Home  Missions,     (Spring). 

18 — Reports  from  Special  Committees. 

19 — Orders  on  Treasurer. 

20— Vote  of  thanks. 

21—  Minutes  to  be  read  and  approved. 

22 — Adjournment  and  close  with  singing, 
prayer  and  Apostolic  Benediction. 

SECTION  XIT. 

STANDING  RULES— MISCELLANEOUS. 

Rule  1.— The  Rules  of  Parliamentary  order 
adopted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  United  States,  are  hereby 
adopted  as  Standing  Rules  for  the  government 
of  the  Presbytery.     (See  page — ) 

Rule  2.— It  shall  require  two-thirds  of  all  the 
members  present  to  suspend,  amend  or  abolish 
a  Standing  Rule. 

Rule  3. — Candidates  for  Licensure,  unless 
otherwise  ordered,  shall  be  examined  on  Lan- 
guages, Science,  &c,  privately,  on  all  other  sub- 
jects publicly. 

Rule  4. — Trustees  of  Davidson  College  shall 
be  elected  at  Fall  meetings  only. 

Rule  5. — Every  church  shall  report  and 
transmit  promptly  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Pres- 


Manual  of   Wilmington  Presbytery.        15 

bytery  all  monies  collected  for  the  Benevolent 
Causes  of  the  Church  as  ordered  by  the  General 
Assembly. 

Rule  6. — Sessions  shall  give  their  careful  at- 
tention to  the  provisions  of  the  Book  of  Disci- 
pline, chap,  xv,  par.  2  3  and  4,  respecting  the 
transfer  of  non-resident  members;  and  they 
shall  always  report  the  whole  number  of  regis- 
tered communicants  to  the  Presbytery,  and  not 
merely  the  number  residing  at  the  time  in  the 
bounds  of  the  congregation. 

Rule  7. — The  Treasurer  shall  notify  Church 
Sessions  of  amount  due  Contingent  Fund  of 
Presbytery  at  least  one  month  before  meeting 
of  the  Presbytery. 

Rule  8. — Presbyterial  Agents  and  Perma- 
nent Committees,  excepting  the  Agent  of  Home 
Missions  and  the  Committee  on  Minutes  of 
General  Assembly  and  Synod,  shall  make  their 
reports  only  at  each  stated  Spring  meeting. 

Rule  !). — An  evening  shall  be  set  apart  at 
Spring  meeting  for  the  consideration  of  the 
cause  of  Foreign  Missions,  and  at  each  Fall 
meeting  for  the  consideration  of  the  cause  of 
Home  Missions,  and  the  Committee  on  Devo- 
tional Exercises  shall  make  the  necessary  ar- 
rangement for  these  services  respectively. 

Rule  10  — Sessions  are  hereby  advised  to  ap- 
point the  Principal  or  Alternate  delegate  to 
Fall  Presbytery  as  Principal  or  Alternate  dele- 
gate to  Synod. 

Rule  11. — The  Presbyterial  Agents  and  Com- 
mittee of  Home  Missions  shall  be  appointed  at 
each  stated  Spring  meeting. 


: 


El 


v 


16        Manual  of    Wilmington  Presbytery. 

Rule  12. — Presbyterial  Agents,  in  reporting 
the  resultof  their  efforts  to  secure  contributions! 
from  all  the  churches  to  the  causes  respectively 
committed  to  their  care,  shall  report  annually 
to  the  stated  Spring  meeting  the  names  of  thosei 
churches  that  have  failed  to  contribute,  and  to 
shall  correspond  with  the  delinquent  churchesj  »He- 
exhorting  to  the  performance  of  their  neglected 
duty. 

Rule  13. —  The  Committee  of  Home  Missions 
is  charged  [1]  with  the  duty  of  looking  after 
ami  providing  for  the  permanent  supply  of  thefcii 
feeble  and  vacant  churches  of  the  Presbytery, 
[2]  With  the  oversight  and  conduct  of  the  mis- 
sionary work  within  its  bounds  in  accordance 
with  the  General  Assembly's  plan.  [3]  With 
the  duty  of  recommending  the  appointment  ofi  ttoi 
supplies  to  vacant  churches.  [4]  With  the|  k 
duty  of  receiving  and  acting  upon  all  applica- 
tions for  aid  in  building  or  repairing  church 
edifices.  [5]  With  the  distribution  of  the  In-I 
valid  Fund  and  [6]  with  the  duty  of  urging 
upon  all  our  churches  the  importance  of  sys-< 
tematic  and  liberal  contributions  to  the  cause 
of  Home  Missions.  It  shall  report  in  full  of  alL 
its  operations  at  every  stated  meeting 

Rule  14. — The  Agent  of  Foreign  Missions  isi 
charged  with  the  interests  of  this  cause,  which 
he  shall  seek  to  promote  by  all  appropriate! 
means.  He  shall  write  to  each  church  prior  to 
the  time  appointed  for  the  annual  collection  fori 
this  cause,  reminding  it  of  the  claims  of  thisle, 
cause  and  urging  'he  duty  of  liberality.  j  l\ 

Mi 


bar 


Dj 


Manual  of  Wilmington   Presbytery.        17 


Rule  15. — The  Agent  of  Publication  is 
3harged  with  the  duty  of  promoting  the  inter- 
ests of  the  cause  of  Publication  in  co-operation 
with  the  General  Assembly's  Committee.  He 
hall  endeavor,  by  correspondence,  to  secure 
rom  all  the  churches,  at  the  appointed  time, 
Elections  for  this  cause. 

Rule  16. — The  Agent  of  Education  is  charged 
with  the  immediate  care  and  oversight  of  our 
:andidates  for  the  ministry;  and,  by  corre- 
pondence  with  the  Faculty  of  the  College  or 
Seminary  in  which  these  candidates  are  pursui- 
ng their  studies,  he  is  expected  to  keep  him- 
self informed  with  reference  to  their  deport- 
nent,  diligence  and  progress,  which  informa- 
tion he  shall  report  to  Presbytery  with  any 
recommendation  of  action  he  may  consider 
tin  wise  and  appropriate.  He  shall  endeavor  also, 
)y  correspondence,  to  secure  from  all  the 
ml  3hurches,  at  the  time  appointed,  collections  for 
his  cause. 

Rule  17. — The  Agent  of  Sunday  Schools  is 
iharged  with  the  general  interests  of  the  Sun- 
lay  School  work  in  the  Presbytery.  He  shall 
mdeavor  by  all  suitable  means  to  awaken,  ex- 
end  and  maintain  within  our  bounds  a  deeper 
» is  nterest  in  Sabbath  Schools.  He  shall  receive 
md  digest  the  Reports  from  the  churches  on 
his  subject,  and  shall  prepare  therefrom  a  Re- 
)ort  to  be  forwarded,  when  approved,  to  the 
general  Assembly  or  Synod,  as  the  case  may 
>e. 

Rule  18.— At  each  stated  meeting  the  Mod- 
irator  shall  call  on  all  ministers  present  who 


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18        Manual  of   Wilmington    Presbytery. 

are  marked  as  absentees  to  state  their  reasons 
for  previous  failure  to  attend.  If  no  motion  is 
made  expressive  of  disapprobations  the  reasons 
assigned  shall  be  deemed  satisfactory. 

Rule  19.— The  Stated  Clerk  shall  cause  to  be 
published  an  Abstract  of  the  Minutes  of  each 
stated  meeting  in  the  form  of  a  circular  letter, 
as  soon  as  practicable  after  its  adjournment, 
and  shall  send  as  many  copies  of  the  same  to 
the  Pastor  or  Session  of  each  church  as  there 
are  officers  in  that  church.  This  abstract  shall 
contain  only  such  matter  as  he  deems  import- 
ant to  be  brought  to  the  attention  of  our 
churches. 

Rule  20. — The  Treasurer  shall  procure  and 
forward  by  mail,  as  soon  as  published,  a  eopy  of 
the  "Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly"  of  each 
year  to  every  Minister  and  Licentiate  in  the 
Presbytery. 

Rule  21.— Commissioners  to  the  General 
Assembly  shall  be  nominated  at  least  one  day 
before  the  election. 

Rule  22. — The  Presbytery  asserts  and  main- 
tains its  authority  over  the  relation  of  Stated 
Supply.  It  can  be  formed  only  by  the  consent 
of  Presbytery,  and  it  can  be  continued  only  by 
a  new  application  to  the  Presbytery  at  every 
Spring  meeting,  or  in  the  interim  it  may  be 
formed  or  continued  by  the  Committee  of 
Home  Missions,  subject  to  the  endorsement  of 
the  Presbytery. 

Rule  23.— By  the  adoption  of  this  "Manual" 
the  Presbytery  hereby  declares  the  repeal  of  all 
existing  "Standing  Rules." 


Manual  of   Wilmington   Presbytery.        19 
SECTION  XIII. 
RULES  OF  PARLIAMENTARY  ORDER. 

1.  The  Moderator  shall  take  the  chair  pre- 
cisely at  ttie  hour  to  which  the  court  stands  ad- 
journed ;  shall  immediately  call  the  members 
to  order;  and  on  the  appearance  of  a  quorum, 
the  session  shall  be  opened  with  prayer. 

2.  If  a  quorum  be  assembled  at  the  hour  ap- 
pointed and  the  Moderator  be  absent,  the  last 

^Moderator,   or   oldest   minister   present,    shall 
take  the  chair  without  delay. 

3.  If  a  quorum  be  not  assembled  at  the  hour 
appointed,  any  two  members  shall  be  competent 
to  adjourn  from  time  to  time,  that  an  oppor- 
tunity may  be  given  for  a  quorum  to  assemble. 

4.  After  calling  the  roll  and  marking  the  ab- 
sentees, the  minutes  of  t^e  last  sitting  shall  be 
read,  and  if  requisite,  corrected. 

OF   THE    MODERATOR. 

5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Moderator  to 
preserve  order,  and  to  conduct  all  business  be- 
fore the  court  to  a  speedy  and  proper  result. 

6.  He  is  to  propose  to  the  court  every  subject 
of  deliberation  that  comes  before  it. 

7.  He  may  propose  what  appears  to  him  the 
most  regular  and  direct  way  of  bringing  any 
business  to  i:~sue. 

8.  He  shall  always  announce  the  names  of 
members  rising  to  speak,  prevent  them  from 
interrupting  each  other,  and  require  them  in 
speaking  always  to  address  the  chair. 


20        Manual  of  Wilmington   Presbytery. 

9.  He  shall  prevent  a  speaker  from  deviat 
ing  from  the  subject,  and  from  using  personalis 
reflections. 

10.  He  shall  silence  those  who  refuse  to  ob- 
serve order. 

11.  He  shall  prevent  members  from  leaving 
the  court  without  his  permission. 

12.  He  shall,  when  the  deliberations  are 
ended,  put  the  question  and  call  the  vote. 

13.  In  all  questions  he  shall  give  a  clear  andP1 
concise  statement  of  the  object  of  the  vote,  and 
the  vote  being  taken,  he  shall  declare  how  the 
question  is  decided. 

14.  He  shall  carefully  keep  notes  of  the 
orders  of  the  day,  and  call  them  up  at  thetimes 
appointed. 

15.  He  may  speak  to  points  of  order  in 
preference  to  other  members,  rising  from  his 
seat  for  that  purpose,  and  shall  decide  questions 
of  order  subject  to  an  appeal  to  the  court,  with 
out  debate,  by  any  two  members. 

16.  If  any  member  consider  himself  aggriev 
ed  by  a  decision  of  the  Moderator,  it  shall  be  his 
privilege  to  appeal  to  the  court,  and  the  ques- 
tion on  such  appeal  shall  be  taken  without  de 
bate. 

17.  It  is  his  duty  to  appoint  all  committees 
except  in  those  cases  in  which  the  court  shall! 
decide  otherwise. 

18.  When  a  vote  is  taken  by  ballot,  or  by 
yeas  and   nays,   he  shall  vote   with    the   other' 
members;    in    other   cases,    when  the  court  m\ 
equally   divided,    he  shall    possess  the   castingi 
vote.     If  he  be  not  willing  to  decide,  he  shaj 


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Manual  of  Wilmington   Presbytery.       21 

)Ut  the  question  a  second  time,  and  if  the  court 
>e  again  equally  divided,  and  he  decline  to  give 
lis  vote,  the  question  shall  be  lost. 

19.     He  may  call  any  member  to  the  chair  to 
preside  temporarily. 

OF   THE   CLERK. 


20.  As  soon  as  possible  after  the  com  men  ce- 
in|  nent  of  the   first  session  of  every   court,   the 

jlerk  shall  form  a  complete  roll  of  the  members 
ij  jresent,  and  put  the  same  into  the  hands  of  the 

Moderator;  and  whenes^er  any  additional 
ll1(  nembers  take  their  seats,  he  shall  add  their 
w  James  in  their  proper  places  to  the  said  roll. 

21.  He  shall  immediately  file  all  papers  in 
he  order  in  which  they  have  been  read,  with 
proper  endorsements,  and  keep  them  in  per- 
fect order. 

OF   THE   ORDER   OF   BUSINESS. 


12.     After  the  reading  of  the  minutes  of  the 
receding  day,  the  following  order  of  business 
hall  be  observed  : 
First — The  receiving  of 

[a]  Communications  addressed  to  the  body  ; 

[b]  Reports  of  standing  committees  ; 

[c]  Reports  of  select  committees  ; 

[d]  Resolutions;  each  of  which  papers  may, 
>y  unanimous  consent,  betaken  up  immediate- 
y  on  presentation,  but  if  objection  be  made  it 
hall  be  docketed. 


22        Manual  of   Wilmington  Presbytery. 

Secondly — The  unfinished  business  in  whi 
the  court  was  engaged  at  the  last  precedii 
adjournment,  in  preference  to  orders  of  t 
day  ;  but  such  unfinished  business  may,  < 
motion  without  debate,  be  laid  on  the  tat 
to  proceed  with  the  special  order. 

Thirdly — As  soon  as  the  special  order  and  tl 
unfinished  business  are  disposed  of,  the  bus,  , 
ness  on  the  docket  will  be  called  ;  b 
motions  to  elect  officers,  to  appoint  comm 
tees,  and  to  enroll  members  shall  always  1 
in  order,  unless  a  member  is  speaking,  or  tl 
court  is  voting. 


OF   MOTIONS. 

23.  A  motion  must  be  seconded,  and  afte 
ward  repeated  by  the  Moderator,  or  read  alou 
before  it  is  debated  ;  but  this  shall  be  no  bar 
explanation  of  the  object  of  any  motion  by  tl 
mover,  provided  he  does  not  exceed  five  mil 
utes ;  and  every  motion  shall  be  reduced 
writing,  if  the  Moderator  or  any  member  r 
quire  it. 

24.— The  mover  of  a  resolution  is  entitled 
the  floor  if  he  so  desires,  after  the  Moderate 
has  stated  the  question. 

OF   WITHDRAWAL   OF   MOTIONS. 

25.     Any    member  who   shall    have   made 
motion,  shall  have  liberty  to  withdraw  it  wit 
the  consent  of  his  second,    before  any    debai 
has  taken  place  thereon,  but  not  afterward  witl, 
out  the  leave  of  the  court. 


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Manual  of   Wilmington  Presbytery.        23 

OF   LIMITATIONS    OF   DEBATE. 


m.  Motions  to  lay  on  the  table,  to  docket,  to 
ke  up  business,  and  to  adjourn,  and  the  call 
t*  the  question,  shall  be  put  without  debate. 
I  questions  ot  order,  postponement  or  com- 
itment,  no  member  shall  speak  more  than 
ce.  On  all  other  questions,  each  member 
'sty  speak  twice,  but  not  oftener  without  ex- 
ess  leave  of  the  court. 

OF   PRIVILEGED    QUESTIONS 

27. — When  a  question  is  under  debate,  no 
otion  shall  be  received  unless  to  adjourn,  to 
cket,  to  lay  on  the  table,  to  amend,  to  post- 
ne  indefinitely,  to  postpone  to  a  day  certain, 
to  commit;  which  several  motions  shall 
ve  precedence  in  the  order  in  which  they  are 
rein  arranged  ;  and  the  motion  for  adjou ru- 
nt shall  alwTays  be  in  order. 


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OF  "THE  question." 

28.  When  any  member  shall  call  for  "the 
mtion"  the  Moderator  shall,  without  debate, 
t  the  vote,  "Is  the  court  ready  for  the  ques- 
>n  ?"  If  the  call  be  seconded  by  a  majority 
the  members  present,  the  vote  shall  i in- 
nately be  taken  on  the  pending  question, 
latever  it  may  be,  without  further  debate. 

ON   DIVISION   OF   THE   QUESTION. 

al29  If  a  motion  under  debate  contain  several 
rts,  any  two  members  may  have  it  divided, 
d  a  question  taken  on  each  part. 


lis 


24       Manual  of  Wilmington  Presbytery. 

OF  AMENDMENTS. 

30.  An  amendment  may  be  moved  on  any 
question,  as  also  an  amendment  to  the  amend- 
ment, which  shall  be  decided  before  the  original 
proposition  ;  bat  two  distinct  amendments  tci 
the  pending  question  shall  not  be  entertained 
at  the  same  time,  whether  moved  as  substitute 
for  the  whole  matter,  or  as  changing  any  part 
thereof. 

31.  One  proposition  may  be  substituted  foi 
another  when  the  substitute  covers  the  whole 
matter  of  the  original,  and  this  shall  be  done) 
by  moving  to  strike  out  the  original,  and  to  in 
sert  the  substitute. 


t 


OF   RECONSIDERATION. 

32.  A  question  shall  not  be  reconsidered  al 
the  same  session  of  the  court  at  which  it  has 
been  decided,  unless  by  the  consent  of  a  major- 
ity of  the  members  who  were  present  at  the  de- 
cision, and  unless  the  motion  to  reconsider  be 
made  by  a  person  who  voted  with  the  ma- 
jority. 

33. — A  subject  which  has  been  indefinitely: 
postponed,  shall  not  be  again  called  up  during 
the  same  session  of  the  court,  unless  by  the 
consent  of  three-fourths  of  the  members  wh( 
were  present  at  the  decision. 


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OF    SPEAKERS. 


Der  sJ 

by  th 

34.     If  more  than  one  member  rise  to  speakj^ 
at  the  same  time,  the  member  who  is  most  dis  |esi 


Manual  of  Wilmington   Presbytery.        25 

taut   from   the   Moderator's   chair   shall  speak 
first. 

35.  Every  member,  when  speaking,  shall 
address  himself  to  the  Moderator,  and  shall 
treat  his  fellow  members,  and  especially  the 
Moderator,  with  decorum  and  respect. 

OF    INTERRUPTIONS. 

36.  No  speaker  shall  be  interrupted  unless 
he  be  out  of  order,  or  for  the  purpose  of  correct- 
ing mistakes  or  misrepresentations. 

OF    VOTING. 

in  • 

37.  Members  shall  not  decline  voting  unless 

excused  by  the  court. 

:8.  When  various  motions  are  made  with 
respect  to  the  filling  of  blanks  with  particular 
numbers  or  times,  the  question  shall  always  be 
first  taken  on  the  highest  number  and  the  long- 
est time. 

39.  When  the  Moderator  has  commenced 
jaking  the  vote,  no  further  debate  or  remark 
shall  be  admitted,  unless  there  has  evidently 
been  a  mistake,  in  which  case  the  mistake  shall 
pe  rectified,  and  the  Moderator  shall  recom- 
mence taking  the  vote. 

40.  The  yeas  and  nays  on  any  question  shall 
lot  be  recorded,  unless  it  be  required  by  one- 
;hird  of  the  members  present :  and  every  mem- 
ber shall  vote  "yea"  or  'nay,"  unless  excused 
)y  the  court.     In  a  judicial  case,  members  thus 

DeaUxcused,  shall  not  be  allowed  a  vote  in  any  of 
lis-  he  subsequent  proceedings  relating  thereto. 
41      In  all  elections  it  shall  require  a  majori- 
■y  of  the  votes  cast  to  elect. 


26        Manual  of   Wilmington    Presbytery. 

OF   COMMITTEES. 

42.  The  person  first  named  on  any  commit- 
tee shall  be  considered  as  the  chairman  thereof, 
whose  duty  it  shall  he  to  convene  the  committee 
and  preside  therein  ;  and  in  case  of  his  absence, 
or  inability  to  act,  the  second  named  member 
shall  take  his  place  and  perform  his  duties. 

OP   PRIVATE   SESSIONS. 

43.  All  courts  have  a  right  to  sit  in  private 
on  business  which,  in  their  judgment,  ought 
not  to  be  matter  of  public  speculation. 

OP    THE   COMMITTEE   OF   THE   WHOLE. 


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If 

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ft. 


44  Every  court  has  a  right  to  resolve  itself 
into  a  committee  of  the  whole,  or  to  hold  what 
are  commonly  called  interlocutory  meetings,  in 
which  members  may  freely  converse  together 
without  the  formalities  necessary  in  their  ordi 
nary  proceedings.  In  all  such  cases  the  Mod- 
erator shall  name  the  member  who  is  to  pre- 
side as  chairman.  If  the  committee  is  unable 
to  agree,  a  motion  may  be  made  that  the  com- 
mittee rise,  and  upon  the  adoption  of  such 
motion  the  Moderator  shall  resume  the  chair, 
and  the  chairman  of  the  committee  shall  reportjfii 
what  has  been  done,  and  ask  that  the  com 
mittee  be  discharged,  which  being  allowed,  the 
matter  shall  be  dropped.  If  the  committee 
shall  agree  upon  the  report  to  be  made,  or  have 
made  p rogr ess  in  t h e  sa m e  w i t h o u t  coming  to  a 
conclusion,  the  committee  may  rise,  report! 
what  has  been  done,  and  if  the  case  require, 
may  ask  leave  to  sit  again  ;  or  the  committeeim 


,1; 
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to 
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ft: 


Manual  of  Wilmington  Presbytery.        27 

)f  the  whole  may  be  dissolved,  and  the  ques- 
ion  considered  by  the  court  in  the  usual  order 
)f  business. 

of    DECORUM. 

45.  Without  express  permission,  no  mem- 
)er  of  a  court,  while  business  is  going  on,  shall 
engage  in  private  conversation;  nor  shall 
nembers  address  one  another,  nor  any  person 
>resent,  but  through  the  Moderator. 

46.  When  more  than  three  members  of  the 
ourt  shall  be  standing  at  the  same  time,  the 
vloderator  shall  require  all  to  take  their  seats, 
he  person  only  excepted  who  may  be  speak- 
ng. 

47.  If  any  member  act  in  any  respect  in  a 
lisorderly  manner,  it  shall  be  the  privilege  of 
ny  member  and  the  duty  of  the  Moderator,  to 
all  him  to  order. 

48.  No  member  shall  retire  from  any  court 
without  the  leave  of  the  Moderator,  nor  with- 
raw  from  it  to  return  home  without  the  con- 
ent  of  the  court. 


I 


it 


OF   CASES    UNPROVIDED     FOR. 

49.  All  cases  that  may  arise,  not  provided 
)r  in  the  foregoing  rules,  shall  be  governed  by 
be  general  principles  of  parliamentary  law. 

OF   CLOSING  THE   SESSION. 


50.  Trie  Moderator  of  every  court,  above  the 
hurch  session,  in  finally  closing  its  sessions, 
l  addition  to  prayer,  may  cause  to  be  sung  an 
ppropriate  psalm  or  hymn,  and  shall  pro- 
ounce  the  apostolic  benediction. 


r, 


